OUR FAMILY ON MY FATHERS SIDE
John and Anne Williams my grandparents on my father's side had died before I was born and my knowledge of them is very limited. I know however that they lived at Tan-yr-hirdir, very close to the Quarry at the time of the 1881 Census. They had three children at that time, William aged 7, Margaret Anne aged 4, and Mary Ellen aged 1. My grandmother Anne, was aged 29 in 1881 which means that she was born in 1852. My grandfather was about the same age. As far as I know they lived in the same house for many years, until the Quarry rubble in time reached the house. They had moved before that happened to a place called the Yard, and my father was always called Harry ‘r Yard. Four other children were born after 1881, including my father. John and all the boys worked in the Quarry'
William, Margaret, Anne, MaryEllen, Henry, Tommy, Robert,
John
In addition to the children who survived they also lost 3 other children - Ellinor died May 27th 1856 14 weeks old, Ellin died November 23rd 1862 4 years old, Ellen died November 23rd 1865 4 weeks old.The children along with John (unknown) who died July 30th 1854 aged 39 years old are all buried at Tanysgafell churchyard now in ruins
WILLIAM
William, or Uncle William, as he was known to us when we were children, was married to Margaret Ellen, who came originally from Mynydd Llandegai. They had two children, Idwal and Edith. Idwal married Elsie from Pandy in Tregarth. He worked in the Quarry for a number of years but left to work for the civil service in Caernarvon. He also kept a few cows and sheep at the farm in Pandy. He was a very keen fisherman and often went to the river and to Ffynnon Lloer to follow his hobby. He was a very delightful cousin and frequently visited our parents at their home. He also made a special effort to attend the ‘high days’ in our family history. He and Elsie had one daughter, Thelma, who married Caradoc, both of whom were very successful in their academic careers. Thelma ended her career as Headmistress of the County School in Bethesda. They now live at Llandegfan in Anglesey.
Edith lived at Coetmor in Bethesda until she was in her nineties. She and her husband Willie lived in Ellesmere Port some years ago, but after Willie retired, they returned to live in Bethesda.
Uncle William died tragically after a fall of rocks in the Quarry in 1928. My father witnessed the accident from the little hut where he worked. Idwal was also present on the same gallery at the same time. He was killed at the age of 44. He and ‘Auntie Margiad Ellen' lived at a little farm at Coed Parc near the Quarry.
MARGARET ANNE
Margiad Anne, as she was known to the family, lived at Braich in Tregarth. Her husband was called Thomas Parry. There were four children from the marriage, and both the parents lived to a great age.
I lost touch with the family when I left home just before the War, but I do remember the family when I was young. John Henry and Emmanuel were stewards in the Quarry, unfortunately Emmanuel acted rather unwisely and was dismissed from his job. A photograph of him can be seen with the Penrhyn Male Voice Choir on another page. He is the third from the right on the second row. Emlyn, the third son disappeared from home before the War, and I heard very little about him afterwards. Mary, the only daughter was a nurse. Whether she got married or not, I do not know, but she came home with a son, who eventually died very young. Mary herself retired from nursing and came home to live with her parents. After their death, she lived alone. Tragically, the house caught fire and she was burnt to death.
MARY ELLEN
Auntie Mary married twice and lived almost all her life at Coed Parc. She had four children from her first husband and they were Albert, Louise, Emily, and John Llewelyn. I knew Louise very well. We were so pleased when she visited us from Zimbabwe a few months before she died. Her husband Willie Ffrancon and I were colleagues at Lampeter. He was a most welcoming and hospitable person in those days, and was extremely kind to me during our time together. He and Louise spent some time in different parishes in the Church in Wales, before coming over to the Church of England. After serving in the Diocese of Chester for a few years, they emigrated to Zimbabwe. There they brought up their family of three girls before they both died in Zimbabwe. Louise had been brought up at Coed Parc and Willie Ffrancon at Bryn Eglwys, close to St. Anne's Church. The eldest girl is known as Wendy, who was first married to Andreas Herps, who unfortunately died some years ago. She is now married to Michael Lapham and live at Karoi near Harare.
HENRY (Harry)
My father was born on the 4th of November 1881. Wheldon was born on the same date, Nov 4th, in 1909. My father's family lived in a house in a terrace called Tair Stablau in Tan-yr-hirdir, very close to the Quarry, a little distance from Coed-y-parc. My grandparents had died before I was born. Their names were John and Anne Williams. They had three children at the time of the 1881 census - William, who was killed in the Quarry eventually, was seven years of age, Margaret Anne aged four and Mary aged one. My father got married to my mother when he was twenty one years of age, and they lived in Tregarth all their married life. He started work in the Quarry when he was very young, and never left except to serve in France with the Army during the First World War, and when the Quarry closed during the Second World War. He was wounded in France, and was handicapped in his right hand all his life. During the Second World War, with BRW and myself he worked at Marchwiel, near Wrexham. He was 'in diggs’ at a place called Rhos. He was a keen fisherman, and I treasure to this day, memories of going with him to fish, not only in the river Ogwen, but also, to Ogwen Lake, Idwal Lake and Ffynnon Lloer. He was a very keen gardener, and our garden at 4, Ffrwd Galed was among the best in the village. He was a strict disciplinarian, but he exercised his authority with understanding, kindness and love. He was a very sober man, never drank, but liked his ‘roll your own’ cigarettes made with either A1 or Early Bird tobacco. The Church at Gelli was very dear to him, and he attended regularly, twice each Sunday, and taught in the Sunday School. He served on the Parochial Church Council and represented the parish on the British and Foreign Bible Society. I was named after him, and I am very proud to bear his name. He was a man of great integrity, and was a fine example to his family. He worked hard all his life, and possessed a strong faith. We all loved him greatly.
There was nothing false or hypocritical about him at all. Both he and my mother were towers of great strength and wisdom to all the family. I wish very often that I could have emulated him in my own life and showed the same understanding, sympathy, tolerance and generosity
Dad on 21st December 2011 describing where his father Henry (Harry) was born (Tair Stablau)
and where his Uncle Wil and his Auntie Mary lived
TOMMY
Uncle Tommy died when I was a small boy and I hardly remember him. But he had two sons and I remember them well. One was called Owen, who lived very close to where my father worked on the Quarry. The other was called Ben, who had a pork butcher business on the High Street in Bethesda. I have no idea what came of their families or where they live.
ROBERT
Robert (whose photograph can be seen below. He is the third from the right on the top row - still searching for this!) lived at a place called the Llety, which is on the way from Tregarth to Mynydd Llandegai. He and his wife died when I was small. But I do remember the five daughters.
Myfanwy was one of the most beautiful girls in the village, but she never married. She was a qualified teacher but suffered a great deal from depression. She died young either from cancer or TB which was very prevalent in those days.
Annie was the second daughter. I have no idea what happened to her and I have only a faint recollection of her.
Blodwen married a man called Arthur and had family of two or three children. Maybe there is someone still alive in the old home.
Gracie was also a teacher and was also married, I think with one son. When I was a curate in St.Mary’s Bangor, she and her husband lived at a place called Maes Isalaw and Gracie taught in one of the local schools.
Lizzie lived at a place called Madryn, near Felinhen Station with her husband and children. Ivor, my eldest brother and Rosie his wife stayed with them when they returned from Blaenau Festiniog, before they acquired a home of their own.
JOHN
John married Mary and lived with their son, Robert John close to my parents at 34 Tanrhiw Road. I knew them very well indeed. Robert John never married and like his father worked in the Quarry. Uncle John knew the River Ogwen well and was a good poacher of salmon. Occasionally when I was a student and short of money, he would lend me his gear much to the disgust of my father!! He enjoyed a steak or two just the same!!!
There was a daughter called Maggie Anne who lived with her husband Wil Francis at a place called Penffriddoedd. Their two sons David Francis and Oscar are still alive and living in Tregarth.
HLW
OUR FAMILY ON MY MOTHERS SIDE
ROBERT (Robert or Rumsey) and CATHERINE WILLIAMS
My grandparents, when they were first married, lived at a house in Tregarth, known in Welsh as ‘Y Gornel' which meant the 'Corner House’. So my grandfather was always known as Bob Gornel. It was the custom in those days to identify people either through their work or by the name of the house they lived in. I presume it is still the custom in Wales because of the many common surnames, which makes it difficult to identify people. According to my mother's wedding certificate, my grandfather had the two names Robert Robert. I have never come across this double name before.
(I think this is an error, I believe his name was Robert Rumsey further research to confirm this is ongoing.DWW) A short time after they were married, they moved to No. 7, Tanrhiw Road. That is where I remember them, and that is where I stayed on for six weeks when my brother Cyril had diphtheria. I found them both extremely kind, hospitable and caring, My grandfather worked in the Quarry, but at one time when the men were on ‘short time’, he found work somewhere beyond Bettws-y-coed. Occasionally on a Friday evening he would drink a little too much, and found the way home a little difficult. Maybe some of his descendants have inherited the same weakness!! My mother loved him greatly, and he visited our home regularly. I never remember my grandmother ever going out. She seemed to sit in the same old chair in the back kitchen every day. She could not read or write. Both of them lived until they were quite old and are buried at Gelli Churchyard, just behind my parents grave. Robert died on April 19th 1937 at 80 years of age. Catherine died on February 4th 1943 at 78 years of age.
Catherine Anne, Jane, William, Nel, Robert, Hugh, Alice, Elfed
Catherine and Robert (left and centre) at No. 7, Tanrhiw Road.
At No. 7, Tanrhiw Road.
CATHERINE ANNE
The one word ‘mother’
Compare with no other
The first word of the infant
The last word of the brave
So tender and forgiving
So praise her while she’s living
No truer friend than mother
From the cradle to the grave
These words express what most of us feel about our mothers. They certainly sum up what thoughts I have cherished all my life. Nothing could ever diminish my love and admiration for my mother. She was the eldest of eight. She did not have a privileged start in life and she work hard from an early age. She was born at ‘Y Gornel' on June 29th 1883. She had attended the local school which in those days was held at the Church Hall at Gelli. She was married at the age of nineteen and by the age of thirty she had six children.. Of course, on very low wages, life was financially very hard. It was the story of sacrifices, suffering and many sadness. When she and my father were first married they were in rooms, but in time they acquired their home at 4, Ffrwd Galed. Most of the children were born there. After the birth of WiI, my brother, my mother was left with six children while my father with many others from our village, went to France with the Army during the first World War. He was wounded in France and was eventually discharged from the forces. The wound in his hand assured him of a small pension which helped with the family income until he died. During his absence in France, my mother took a job with an Insurance Company, but this did not last very long. The second part of the family were born after the War. But then in the thirties, disaster hit the quarrying industry and the working week was reduced to three days per week. I was only in my early teens, and I well remember the days when men would linger about the village with little to do except visiting the ‘dole’ office. A further tragedy hit my parents. My young brother, Heulwyn died of peritonitis at 5 years of age, but my parents faced the sad loss with a great deal of courage. In 1938 they moved from Ffrwd Galed to 41 Tanrhiw Road where they lived during their reclining years. My father eventually died in 1956 after only a couple of years of retirement and my mother lived until the 5th of April 1966.
My mother worked extremely hard to bring up a large family, making great sacrifices during her life. To me she was a lady of great temperament, serene nature and sound judgement. She was very neighbourly, always available in time of need. Our home was peaceful, and there was great love evident there. My mother, when she died, had made a tremendous contribution to her family, and served the community with distinction.
JANE
Auntie Jane married Owen Rowlands, who was best man at my parents' wedding. He was known to us as Uncle Now. They lived, when I was a small boy, at a farm behind our house at Ffrwd Galed. The house and cowshed can be seen in the foreground of the photograph opposite. When she was much younger, she taught in the local school as a pupil teacher, but she was never properly trained. Uncle Now worked in the Quarry, but, like many in the village, kept a few hens and a couple of cows, a brace of pigs and a calf or two. He used to give me a penny every Saturday. Naturally, I thought a lot of him, and I cherish his memory. He, also, joined the Army and went to France during the First World War.
My mother used to buy buttermilk from them at one penny a gallon. They had three children, Gwyneth, who is still alive and lives in Vicar’ Cross, Chester. She is the mother of four children, all of whom have left home. Her son, Clive works as a Quantity Surveyor with McAlpine’s. Auntie Jane’s second chüd was Kenneth. He married a girl called Nellie from Llanfairfechan. They had two or three children. Unfortunately the marriage ended in a divorce. Ken eventually married again, while he was working at Somerset House in London. After his second wife died, he lived alone for a few years. Unfortunately, he became ill with cancer, and came to live with Gwyneth, where he died. I took his funeral at Blacon. The third child was Afona, who married someone who worked in Brown's of Chester. They lived at Upton when Wheldon was the Vicar. Sadly Afona died very young, leaving her husband and a young son. She is buried at Upton Churchyard, and Wheldon took the service.
WILLIAM (12 April 1895 - 13 November 1966) known as Uncle Wil
Uncle Wil was born in Tregarth, and, after leaving school, worked in the Quarry for a few years. He joined the Army during the First World War. The picture of him standing is on the right hand side of the photograph opposite. He was invalided out of the Army, and met Jennie Wilhelmina Blanche Turney at Cannock, Staffs. She was an Auxiliary Nurse at the time. Following his discharge from the Army, he went to Lampeter to train for the ministry of the Church. He was there from January 1922 until December 1924. He was ordained and served a curacy at Penmon, Anglesey, starting on March the 8th. 1925. His annual stipend was £200. He married "Ina" at St. Chaffs Church, Stafford on April 23rd. 1929. Incidentally, stipends did not change very much in twenty years. I started in Aberdovey on £220 per annum. Sometimes, I could not afford the fare home to Tregarth!!
There were two sons of the marriage, Gavin and Alvan. Gavin was born on July 8th 1930 and Avan on November 21st 1932. Uncle Wil became Vicar of Coedana with Llangwyllog in Anglesey on May 13th 1937, and there he remained until his death on November 13th 1966. "Ina” was born on July 9th 1889 in Worcester. She was the daughter of Charles Turney and his wife Elizabeth (formerly Plant). They were in service to Lord Shrewsbury, but later ran a Temperance Hotel in Stafford called "The Gresham". "Ina" worked in the Department of Education in Stafford. She took part in Amateur Dramatics. She was an accomplished pianist, and travelled to Switzerland, Austria, and Italy.
Gavin married Ursula and have three children, Richard, Angela and Mark. Gavin is a Haulage Contractor and they live at 8, Hough Green, Chester. Avan and his wife Barbara have three children, Jacqueline, Michael, and Christine. They now live at Bala where they have a Hotel on the outskirts of the Village. In his younger days, Alvan was a professional footballer and played for Bangor, Bury etc..
Uncle Wil was a very keen beekeeper, and was well known throughout North Wales for his expertise and, of course, his excellent honey. Both Wheldon and myself attended his funeral service at Llangwyllog Church in November 1966. Alvan lived until he was 71 and died shortly before Christmas 2003.
Uncle Wil with Gavin
The picture of the Church at Llangwyllog below is where Uncle Wil and their son Alvan are buried. The grave is very close to the Church door.
ROBERT (Uncle Bob, also known as Bob Gornel)
Uncle Bob married Lizzie Hughes and they lived all their married life with her mother. They owned a small confectioner’s shop at Pen-y-Bryn, Bethesda and lived behind the shop. Uncle Bob like most men in the district worked in the Quarry all his life. In his younger days he played football for the local side. There is a photograph of him on the page below. He is on the right of the middle three wearing a jersey, he always played on the left of the midfield. There is also a picture of their only daughter Irene. She was about my age and was studying at College in when she was taken seriously ill and died. Uncle Bob never really got over her death and he felt it for the rest of his life. But he was a very strong character and was closely involved in the work of the Church at Ganogwen. He worshipped regularly each Sunday. He was a churchwarden for many years and was a close friend of the Vicar. He was also secretary of the Bethesda Football Club after the second World War. He did his best to persuade me to play for them when I was a member of the Bangor City Team. He and I had a great deal in common and I was very fond of him. He and his family are buried at Glanogwen Churchyard.
HUGH
Hugh was the most academic of his family. He had a very alert and active brain. Unfortunately he did not finish his course at University and found a job with the Caernarvonshire County Council. He married a very beautiful woman called Hilda and they had three daughters. They were all married and had families of their own. Tragically one of them named Linda was killed outside her own home by a reckless driver, in July 1976. One of the other sisters was called Glenys. I do not know the name of the third. They all lived somewhere not far from Bangor. Hugh and Hilda lived at first at a place called Chwarel Goch, before they moved to a County Council property at Tal-y-bont near Llandegai.
NEL
Auntie Nel was a nurse somewhere in England and as children we saw very little of her. One could easily describe her as a matronly kind of person. Working away from Tregarth it was not easy for her to visit her home very often. She got married very late in life and she became a Mrs Lemon .Her husband died before her, she returned to Tregarth for a few years. I have no recollection of her death or her retirement.
ALICE
Alice was married to Thomas Edwards, known to us as Uncle Tom. He always gave the impression that he was an unhappy man. Perhaps it was because his wife Alice was a semi-invalid and he had to look after her as well as working in the Quarry. My picture of him is one pushing Alice in a chair here, there and everywhere. Yet at times she could be seen walking quite freely from her own house at 23 Tanrhiw Road to her mother at No. 7. They had one son, Eryl who, not long after he married a girl from the village called Enid, and had a daughter called Jennifer, died at the age of 38 from Hodgkinson's Disease. Jennifer married a man called Roy who worked at Barclays Bank. but the two are now separated and Jennifer moved to Cardiff to be near her mother who was in sheltered accommodation when I last heard. Jennifer is a qualified teacher and has a post somewhere in Cardiff.
ELFED
Elfed was the youngest of the family and never left home. His main interests in life were his work in the Quarry, fishing in the River Ogwen, singing in the Church choir, and with the Penrhyn Male Voice Choir. He is pictured below right in the middle of the second row from the right. My cousin Emmanuel is also there on the right and marked with a x.
HLW
